"Kid, you didn't go for the head, good job. If we were to have the association identify the kid, we would have needed the head intact."
Guo Chunshi, who had seen the mysterious figure fall from the front, approached and glanced at the kid's appearance, then frowned.
"Phew... You must have forcibly condensed aura to create a repelling force, right? The inside of his chest is just a mess."
"I didn't know it would be this powerful. I just tried to condense aura like you, and it ended up like this."
"Hmm... Repelling force is a form of power, so I don't think it's bad. But what do you plan to do with the kid's body?"
The dungeon was still occupied by association staff. They would soon finish their exploration and come out.
If they saw the body in front of me and my appearance, they might suspect me of killing the association staff.
If I were alone, that is.
"I'll talk to the association staff. You just stay quiet."
"Sir, are you sure about that?"
Guo Chunshi smiled at my reaction.
"I've been in the association for a long time, so I can handle this much for a mentee. Just stay quietly behind me."
He must be like a chief officer in the association.
Given that it was Guo Chunshi who said it, I couldn't help but believe him.
"I'll make sure you get proper compensation for dealing with the villain."
"Ah, that's not necessary. I just want to be seen as helping you."
"Huh?"
"Since this guy wasn't just any ordinary villain but 'Mysterious Figure,' if you take the credit, your sentence might be reduced. The suspicious looks will also be directed at you instead of me."
"That's true, but... won't the compensation you receive be less?"
"I'm fine with that."
In fact, I had already received my reward.
【Hidden Quest Completed!】
[The Hunt for the Mysterious Figure (神出鬼沒) Villain.]
[You successfully hunted your first villain in an overwhelming manner. You will become an even stronger hitman at catching villains!]
[Reward: Enhancement of the 【Hitman】 trait.]
Checking my status window, I could see that new content had been added to the Hitman trait.
【Hitman】
[1. Ruthless Killer – The blade of an organization that executes enemies. A hitman maintains composure in any situation.
Significantly increased proficiency with firearms.]
[2. Hunter of Villains – You are a hitman very familiar with hunting villains. Villains will fear you, and you will find it easier to hunt them.
Fear from villains towards you increases by 1.5 times.
Slightly increased ability to use aura against villains.]
The Hitman trait had truly become a weapon against villains.
A trait that gives an advantage against villains, considering the nature of the scenario, it's a special ability with a vast range of applications, and I couldn't help but smile.
"What, what is this?!"
At that moment, the staff who had come out of the dungeon were shocked as they surveyed the surroundings.
Perfect timing.
"Sir, please help me."
I smiled at Guo Chunshi and subtly hid behind him.
After all, shouldn't the senior handle the troublesome tasks?
Sighing at my actions, Guo Chunshi turned to the staff.
"This guy suddenly appeared and attacked me and my disciple. So we took him down together."
"…What? This guy attacked you and your disciple, sir?"
Guo Chunshi nodded.
"Moreover, he claimed to be the 'Mysterious Figure.' We might find something when we compare him with the association's database."
"Is this guy the Mysterious Figure?! Good heavens…."
Indeed, since the speaker was someone of Guo Chunshi's caliber, the staff didn't seem to doubt him.
"The body will be taken to the association for investigation, and I'll contact you later."
"Sure, sure, thanks for the hard work."
As the staff member touched the body, it disappeared instantly.
It must have been stored in a subspace.
I had guessed as much since the materials weren't visible when we came out, but he must be carrying an item enchanted with subspace magic.
The staff members, after giving us a slight bow, ran down the mountain.
Watching them go, Guo Chunshi turned towards the direction of his home and said,
"Since there's no spatial mage to take us, I'll have to walk back."
"Are you going home now?"
"Of course, where else would I go? I need to rework the aura technique to teach you as soon as I get home."
"Is it that complicated?"
"Should I teach you the exact way I use it? Given the different nature of your aura and mine, we need to adjust it. Besides, I also need to think about how to train you, so there's a lot to do."
Guo Chunshi, holding his head, started walking.
"Stay away for about three days. At my age, having to study again… ugh…."
Guo Chunshi, gradually moving away.
I didn't expect him to say he would rework the aura technique for me.
Well, considering the impressive display I just gave, his eagerness to train me is understandable.
I, a mere academy student, had taken down a named-level villain all by myself. How promising must my future seem?
Guo Chunshi must be eagerly anticipating how far I will grow.
In the distance, the sun was slowly setting on the mountain ridge.
Checking the time, I realized it was getting close to evening.
"…I should head back too."
Wasn't this a passing grade for my first mentoring session?
* * *
Family dinner.
They say humans are creatures of habit.
Tonight, as usual, the family dinner was no longer an uncomfortable or heavy atmosphere.
Now, it felt more like… just a dinner with a lot of food.
It was also a place where we shared minor updates about our lives, so it was often a place where interesting and otherwise unknown information was exchanged.
"How is Sir Guo Chunshi? Is he doing well?"
Father, who was eating, asked me first.
Since I borrowed the organization's helicopter to go to Gangwon, it was natural that he knew.
"Yes, he's a bit sharp but very kind."
"Ha ha! He's still the same. When I was young, he even asked me to be his disciple, but unfortunately, the relationship between the Hero Association and Calione wasn't good back then, so we couldn't interact much."
That old man, I thought he just imagined it, but he actually asked Father?
Father seemed embarrassed to mention that he had been asked to be a disciple, so he didn't go into detail.
"Still… since it's you and not me who will learn from him, he must have finally achieved his wish. That's good. Hehe."
Feeling a hint of regret in Father's words, I quickly spoke up.
"The only thing I'm learning from Sir is the aura technique. He said my aura is very similar to Father's. If Father is okay with it, I'd like to learn from you too."
"Ha ha ha! Just hearing that is a great compliment. Sure, sure, we're both busy now, but when we have some free time, I'll teach you."
"Yes, Father."
This is a real bloodline event.
My teacher in the game is the emperor of the underworld, one of the world's strongest assassins, and an aura master.
It makes my heart swell with pride.
If I were just a regular character, I doubt I would even have the chance to learn from such powerful figures. It must be because I inherited the blood and talent of 'Calione.'
"Papa! Ji-yun wants to learn too! Yeah! Yeah!"
Perhaps feeling left out by our conversation, Ji-yun climbed onto her chair and enthusiastically punched the air.
She must have been taught some self-defense techniques from a young age, as her punches, despite her short arms, had a powerful presence.